By
Euronews

“President Sargsyan, there appears to be a sense of optimism about the possible outcome of the meeting to be held in Kazan in Russia. Does this suggest that you are prepared to make concessions, despite the difficulties, as you said in a speech at the Council of Europe?”

President Serge Sargsyan:

“Optimism is a good thing, but I would rather be constructive and I must say my expectations are not that great. You mention concessions, but we are against unilateral concessions. We are for bilateral concessions. Must we make concessions with a state that is prepared to train weapons on us.

As I said to the Council of Europe that the European Committee against Racism and Intolerance noted in a recent report on Azerbaijan, that there is intolerance and anti-Armenian sentiment. This is not the case in Armenia. We must end this anti-Armenian sentiment and build a future on mutual trust.”

María Piñeiro euronews:

“You said it is not possible to negotiate a peace agreement without the right to self-determination for Nagorno Karabakh. But it is a condition Azerbaijan rejects. So how do you intend to break the deadlock?”

President Sargsyan:

“If Azerbaijan does not accept the principles, then how can they say that the principals of the treaty of Madrid are the foundations on which we continue the negotiations and find a solution to the problem. We know there are three principals.

The non use of force and threat of force.

Territorial integrity and the right to self-determination.

Not only our principals were written into the Treaty of Madrid. It seems a bit strange that for years Azerbaijan has negotiated on a document, when it does not even accept one of the basic principals.”

María Piñeiro euronews:

“For you the self-determination for Nagorno Karabakh is a prerequisite to negotiate a deal and if Azerbaijan has already rejected this condition, then perhaps we can say there will be no agreement and no progress in Kazan.”

President Sargsyan:

“Azerbaijan declares that it is against one ot two of the foundations of the treaty.

Therefore is the international community saying it does not recognise the right to self-determination?

The second scenario will mean the progress of recent decades will be lost. Because if the right to self-determination is not feasible, how was it possible to create ten new states from other states. Just look at the example of Kosovo.

I also recall that there was another region of Azerbaijan populated by Armenians, the autonomous Republic of Nakhichevan, but there are no longer any Armenians living there.”

María Piñeiro euronews:

“During the last G8 meeting in Deauville the presidents of the United States, France and Russia said the situation was no longer acceptable and an agreement must be reached without delay. Do you think that international mediators are getting a little tired of the deadlock? The Minsk Group (US,France, Russia) said Kazan is the “last chance to agree.”

President Sargsyan:

“No. I don’t think the international community is tired. The international community has called on Armenia, Karabakh and Azerbaijan to give a definitive answer on whether or not we are ready to move towards a solution based on these principals. We have been told to answer “yes” or “no” without delay. This is the question we have to answer in Kazan.”